Filling apparatus



Nov. 3, 1964 G.W. MOJONNlER ETAL I 3,155,125

' FILLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 23, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

49 965/ Ii 74 40 T 84 awo, MA X5 4 1964 s. w. MOJONNIER ETAL 3, 25

FILLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 23, 1960 .E fl w, Mm mg United States Patent 3,155,125 FlLlLlNG APPARATUS George W. Mojonnier, 55% N. Grace Sh, Lombard, ill and Raymond .i. Hansel, 112 N. Eirnhurst Ave, Mount Prospect, lll.

Filed Dec. 23, 1969, Ser. No. 77,993 1 Claim. (El. 141-150) The present invention relates generally to filling apparatus, and is particularly directed to improved apparatus for filling continuously moving containers with a fluid.

In the filling of containers with a fluid, such as milk, there has been provided means for simultaneously filling a plurality of conta ers, While the latter are moving along a predetermined path, and as the containers are each filled in sequence the individual dispensing spout for such container is shut oil and the filled container is then capped or otherwise closed. However, the known means for accomplishing this operation has presented some difficulties, particularly with respect to proper opening and closing of the dispensing mechanism. In the interest of economy and sanitation, it is important that the containers receive just the right amount of fluid, without spilling the fluid and in a manner affording the correct measure for the fluid.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide filling apparatus, which is capable of simultaneously filling a plurality of containers while the containers are moving, with the filling apparatus including a plurality of dispensing spouts which are automatically opened and closed as the containers engage and disengage such spouts. Another object is to provide filling apparatus of the type described, wherein the apparatus provides for selective control of the rate at which the dispensing spouts are closed. Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing spout for liquid materials, which is responsive to engagement and disengagement by container to efiect opening and closing of the spout. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the selected embodiment of the invention, and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodying the invention, with portions broken away and in section in order to more clearly illustrate structural details;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus in FIGURE 1, with portions omitted or broken away;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of structure seen in FIGURE 2, taken generally along the line 3-3;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the structure in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, illustrating diiferent positioning of the parts;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged exploded view of some of the elements of the dispensing mechanism which is seen particularly in FIGURE 6.

Referring particularly to FIGURES l and 2, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises generally a rotatable filling apparatus 10, which is particularly adapted for the dispensing of liquids and, more particularly for the filling of milk bottles. The filling apparatus it) comprises a generally cylindrical tank 12 which is supported for movement about the axis of a central supporting shaft 14, and a plurality of fluid dispensing mechanisms 16 are arranged peripherally on the lower side of the tank. The containers 18 are introduced into the filling apparatus it by means of a suitable conveyor 28, and a star wheel 22 winch positions each of the individual containers on one of a plurality of supporting platforms 24. The platforms are sup orted on a moving conveyor or 3,155,125 Patented Nov. 3, i96

table 25, which is adapted to index each of the platforms 24 with one of the dispensing spouts 16, so that the two move around the axis of the filling apparatus in unison. As the platform supported containers enter the'filling apparatus, they are elevated to a position wherein the top of the container engages a dispensing spout and thereby opens the spout so that the container is filled as the platform 24 and tank 12 continue to rotate. At the completion of the filling cycle, the platform 24 is lowered to remove the top of the container from the filling spout 16, which action is effective to close the spout, and the filled container is then removed by suitable means, such as the star Wheel 28 and the take-off conveyor 30 seen in FIG- URE l. The present invention is particularly concerned with the construction of the liquid dispensing mechanism or spout 16, seen particularly in FIGURES 6 and 7, and with means for selectively controlling the rate of disengagement of the container from the dispensing spout to thereby affect the rate of closing of the spout.

As noted particularly in FIGURES 2 and 6, the indi vidual platform supports 24 for the containers, which move the containers 18 through the filling apparatus, each comprise a generally horizontal plate member 32 which is carried on the upper end of an upright member 34. The latter is telescopically received by a lower vertically extending post 36 which is suitably fastened at its base to the table conveyor 26 which carries the platforms 24 around the circumference of the filling apparatus. The upright member 34 has mounted thereon a laterally projecting roller 38, which is positioned for engagement with a track or guide 40 fixed to the frame of the filling apparatus and arranged generally in a circle about the platform conveyor. As the platform 24 is carried around the filling apparatus, the track or guide 40 acting against the roller 38 causes the platform 32 to be elevated to a position wherein the open end or neck of the container 18 bears against the lower portion of the associated dispensing spout 16. Such engagement causes the spout to be opened and fluid from the tank 12 flows into the container.

With particular reference to FIGURES 6 and 7, it will be seen that the individual dispensing mechanism or spout 16 comprises generally an elongated tubular member 42 which extends from a position adjacent the upper end of the inside of the tank 12 to a position extending through and below the bottom 44 of the tank. The bottom of the tank includes an enlarged opening 46 through which the elongated member 42 is inserted, and the latter is held in position by means of a collar 48 and a pin 5%. The collar 48 includes a pair of lower flanged portions 52 which engage the lower surface of the tank bottom 44, and the pin 55? is releasably inserted between an upper circular flange 54 of the collar and the inner surface of the tank bottom to thereby hold the collar in position. The elongated tubular member 42 includes a reduced section adjacent its lower end, which provides a shoulder 56 for engagement by the flanges 5-2 of the collar to retain the elongated member in a fixed axial position with respect to the tank. The lower end portion of the tubular member 4-2 is enlarged to present an upwardly facing shoulder portion 58, and a flexible annular valve element 6% is positioned between 'the bottom 44 of the tank and the shoulder 58. This valve element is preferably made of rubber, but maybe of other suitable material which is sufficiently flexible to permit axial compression of the valve element. At the lower end portion of the flexible valve element at there is provided a relatively rigid ring-like member 62 which is disposed co-axially of the valve element 6t) and the elongated spout member 42. The ring member 62 includes a central opening 64 which is adapted to be releasably engaged'by a lower portion 65 of the valve element as, and this member 62 also includes a channel-like portion 66 around its top, which has a circumference greater than the valve element a a 60 and which is adapted to catch any liquid that might condense or be discharged from around the upper portion of the flexible valve. A drain trough 63 is preferably provided to permit liquid thus trapped to be discharged at a position away from the mouth of the bottle being filled.

The ring member 62 at the lower part of the dispensing valve may be made of Teflon, nylon, or suitable plastic material, but it is preferable that it be sufiiciently rigid so that it properly centers the container to be filled and yields primarily as a unit to the force of engagement by a container as the latter moves upwardly. Consequently, it will assist in the proper opening of the flexible valve element 69 and will also help to locate the container centrally of the dispensing spout.

The upper end of the elongated tubular member 4-2 of the dispensing spout 16 is disposed above the liquid level in the tank, and the tank is subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure of sufiicient degree to efiect a constant siphoning effect upwardly. The vacuum inside the tank 12 may be created by any suitable means, such as a vacuum pump (not shown) connected by a pipe 7b with the upper central part of the tank through a suit-able coupling permitting rotation of the tank.

The opening of the flexible valve 69, as it is compressed upwardly through engagement by the container, produces a separation of the lower end of the valve from the shoulder 58 and thus provides for a flow of fluid from the tank through the interior of the flexible valve db and downwardly around the lower end of the tubular member 42. In the event that the member 42 is in contact with a the liquid, such as when the container 18 is completely filled, the liquid will be siphoned upwardly into the tank, through the central passage in the tubular member 42 and, therefore, will not be spilled over the bottle.

it is important that the described valve mechanism 16 be closed properly and quickly as the bottles or containers are lowered by the supporting platform 24, and it is also important that the filled containers include a proper measure of the liquid. It will be seen that the size of the neck of the container and variations in height of the container are factors to be considered in the proper functioning of the dispensing spout. In order to accommodate these and other variations, there is provided means for selectively adjusting the closing of the dispensing spout 16, and such means is seen particularly in FIGURES 3-5. More particularly, the cam track or guide 40, which engages the rollers 38 on the container supporting platforms 24,, is provided adjacent its terminal end with a section 72 which is hingedly mounted for vertical movement about a pin 74. Intermediate the ends of this section there is provided an adjusting means in the form of a rotatable arm 76, which is connected at its inner end 78 with an opening in the track section 72, and which is supported by a yoke 89 including a circular internal cam surface 82 which is engaged by a follower element 84 eccentrically located on the adjusting arm 76. The yoke Si! is pivoted on a support bracket 36 by means of a pin 88, and as the arm 75 is moved through an arc, the action of the cam 82 and follower 84 provide for vertical movement of the track section 72 about the pin 74. Suitable means is provided for releasably holding the arm 76 in a selected position, such as a bracket 99 which grips the yoke 84 as the knob 92 is turned about its center axis.

Consequently, it is seen that the rate of downward movement of the container supporting platform 24, and the rate of closing of the dispensing spout 16, can be adjusted by raising or lowering the track section 72 in the described manner. In order to positively retain the platform follower element 38 on the cam track during the shut-oil period, there is also preferably provided an overlying guide 94, which is suitably secured to the movable track section 72 by a pair of bolts 96, Or the like.

Furthermore, it will be noted that. the described arrangement, particularly with respect to the adjustability of track 72 and the use of a vacuum to siphon excess liquid from the container as the seal is broken between the container and the dispensing valve afiords adjustability of the fill level in the containers. The fill level of the containers is a function of the speed of removal of the container from the valve, which in turn is dependent upon the disposition of track 72 and the speed of rotation of the conveyor 26. In this latter respect, the speed of conveyor 26 is preferably adjustable to accommodate various size containers.

Although shown and described with respect to particular apparatus, It will be apparent that modifications might be made without departing from the principles of the invention disclosed herein.

We claim:

Filling apparatus comprising a rotatable vessel having a plurality 0;? liquid dispensing spouts disposed circumferentially about its lower portion in communication with the interior of said vessel, each of said dispensing spouts including an axially flexible val as member and a relatively rigid annular flange means secured to and projecting downwardly from said valve member in position to center a container with respect to the spout and responsive to upward pressure by a container on said relatively rigid portion to compress said valve member axially and thereby open the spout for dispensing liquid from the vessel, siphon means associated with each of said dispensing spouts and including a conduit extending therethrough in position to siphon excess liquid from the container as the seal is broken between the container and said lower portion of the dispensing spout, a receptacle conveyor rotatable through a path underlying said circumferentially arranged dispensing spouts, said conveyor including a plurality of spaced-apart receptacle-supporting platforms mounted for vertical movement, each of said platforms being disposed in underlying relation to one of said dispensing spouts, means for effecting said vertical movement of each platform in a controlled manner, whereby a receptacle on the platform is brought into engagement with one of said dispensing spouts to compress said valve and open the spout and, after the receptacle is filled to a predetermined level, the receptacle is released from said en gagement to close the spout, said platform control means comprising a cam track disposed along the path of said conveyor and a roller on each of said receptacle supportiug platforms engaging said cam track, said cam track including a terminal portion which is pivotally mounted for vertical movement relative to the main portion of the track, means on said terminal track portion for guiding said rollers and limiting upward movement thereof, and means for vertically adjusting said terminal track portion including a member rotatably engaging said track portion and disposed in laterally projecting relation thereto, a

' circular internal cam fixed to said member in eccentric relation thereto with said internal cam disposed within a supporting housing adjacent said track, and means for selectively positioning and securing said cam in position about its axis of rotation to thereby determine the vertical position of said member, whereby the rate of downward movement of said platforms may be selectively determined so as to effect the rate of closing of the associated dispensing spout as the supported receptacle withdraws from the spout.

Reierences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 523,392 Wuelfing July 24, 1894 531,717 Clauss et'al. Jan. 1, 1895 1,046,762 Fleming et al. Dec. 10, 1912 2,096,499 Mandell Oct. 19, 1937 2,127,892 Stewart Aug. 23, 1938 2,364,400 Stewart et al. Dec. 5, 1944' 2,389,672 Lippold Nov. 27, 1945 2,499,149 Lippold Feb. 28, 1950. 

